Police say shooting victim lived in Rodgers Forge

A man's body was found in an overturned vehicle in Rodgers Forge after gunfire was reported in the area. (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun video)

A man's body was found in an overturned vehicle in Rodgers Forge after gunfire was reported in the area. (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun video)

Jon Meoli, jmeoli@tribune.com

The man found dead in an overturned vehicle in Rodgers Forge this week resided in the block where the shooting took place, according to the commander of the Towson police precinct.

Capt. Richard Howard as part of his monthly report to the Greater Towson Council of Community Associations on Thursday, gave new details regarding what police are calling a homicide that occurred early Wednesday morning in Towson.

According to Baltimore County Police, at 5:32 a.m. Wednesday, officers responded to the area of Murdock Road and Blenheim Road in Towson after receiving a report of shots fired.

Officers arrived to find a man with at least one gunshot wound dead inside an overturned silver Dodge.

According to Howard, a witness reported seeing two individuals — one inside the vehicle, and one standing outside it.

Howard said the man in the Dodge, who police said suffered at least one gunshot wound, took off down the street and bounced off several parked cars that lined the street before the car flipped over.

At the meeting Thursday, Howard said police believed the two men fired gunshots at each other. But on Friday, police spokeswoman Elide Armacost said homicide detectives have not found a weapon in the victim's car, and no longer believe gunfire was exchanged.

Police identified the victim as Donte Antonio Stephens, 36, initially reporting he resided in the 500 block of North Schroeder Street in Baltimore. But Howard said police had since learned Stephens resided in the 100 block of Murdock Road, just east of where officers found the overturned Dodge.

Because the investigation is ongoing, Howard could not say whether any suspects have been identified or whether police had identified a motive in the crime. He did, however, say police believe Stephens was targeted.

Any person with information about the incident is asked to call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020, or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP.